MADISON, Ohio — Earlier this week, 145 cats were taken from an animal rescue facility in Madison Township by the Lake Humane Society. Officials there say they received several complaints about the condition of the facility and the animals inside.
Many in the community say Holy Cat Whiskers had good intentions. The facility is well-known for taking in stray and feral cats that are in really bad shape and nursing them back to health if possible. But Tuesday, they were the subject of a search warrant. And the future of the animals that were taken by the Lake Humane Society will be decided in court.
Lake Humane Society investigators say many of the cats they discovered were emaciated and dehydrated. Because of the lack of quarantining, infections and viruses were rampant. One cat, named Braveheart, was in bad enough shape that he had to be euthanized.
But social media and the community are supporting Holy Cat Whiskers, saying they often help the worst of the worst.
Amy Beam runs a rescue of her own and understands both sides. She understands why a facility would want to help every animal it can, but also knows that 145 animals can be overwhelming and rules must be followed.
"Holy Cat Whiskers, may be good intentioned, maybe took on a little too much," she says.
But Beam also believes the animals would have been better served if the Lake Humane Society helped the rescue facility become more compliant, helping more animals in the long run.
"I don’t think anybody’s intention was to be hurtful and hateful. But unfortunately, when it comes to social media things blow up and get blown out of proportion, she adds.
There is a chance that the animals could be returned to Holy Cat Whiskers. The debate now moves to the court room. The first hearing is set for March 15.
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